Firefighters Injured in Four Alarm Strip Mall Fire

The large structure fire was reported around 1:30 a.m. in the 300 block of East Garvey Avenue, according to a Monterey Park Fire Department dispatcher.

During the firefighting effort, part of the mall’s roof collapsed. The flames were extinguished by about 4:45 a.m., the fire department reported.

The conditions of the injured firefighters were not immediately released officially, but news media outlets reported their injuries were minor.

About 40 people were evacuated from an apartment building just north of the fire scene, but they were allowed back into their residences around 4:45 a.m., police said.

The fire knocked out some electrical service in the area, including blacking out some traffic signals, but power was restored by about 7:30 a.m., police said. Also, Garvey Avenue was blocked between Alhambra and Russell avenues, but the roadway was reopened about 7:30 a.m., police said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. A damage estimate was not immediately available.